Flash memory device and a method for using the same

Abstract

A flash memory device is presented. The device includes a flash memory, which has a temporary storage portion, a main storage portion and a controller. The temporary storage portion is provided for buffering data and addresses. The buffered addresses are indicative of the destination of the buffered data in the main storage portion. The controller is configured for selectively accessing the main storage portion or the temporary storage portion or a combination thereof for receiving and/or outputting the data from the memory. The controller is further configured for enabling communication of data between the two portions. Because non-volatile flash memory is used for the temporary storage, no other memory components are needed and, in case of an unexpected power failure, the data in the temporary area is not lost.

1 . A device comprising: a flash memory, said flash memory having a temporary storage portion and a main storage portion and a controller for selectively accessing the main storage portion or the temporary storage portion or a combination thereof, the controller being configured for buffering data and an addresses in the temporary storage portion, wherein the addresses indicates the destination of the buffered data in the main storage portion. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said controller is further configured for directly storing data in the main storage portion. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said controller is further configured for receiving data for, and/or outputting data from, the flash memory. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said controller is further configured for enabling an adaptive data communication between the temporary storage portion and the main storage portion, while minimizing shuffling of data already stored in the main storage portion. 
     
     
         5 . A method for storing data in a flash memory device comprising an indirect storage mode with the steps of:
 receiving data;   buffering data, as well as an address in a temporary storage portion in said flash memory device, said address being indicative for a destination of the buffered data in the main storage portion, and;   transferring the data to the main storage portion at the destination indicated by the address.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  further comprising a direct storage mode with the steps of:
 receiving a data stream, and;   storing directly the data stream in the main storage portion, the direct storage mode being executed if the data stream has at least a predetermined number of data-packets for storage in a plurality of consecutive locations of the main storage portion, and the indirect mode being executed otherwise.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein said predetermined number corresponds to a number of data-packets that can be stored at least in 4 pages of the main storage portion. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5  further comprising the step of:
 adaptively communicating data between the temporary storage portion and the main storage portion, while minimizing shuffling of data already stored in the main storage portion.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 5  further comprising the step of;
 determining whether the temporary storage portion comprises a plurality of data items having a same destination in the main storage portion, and if such a plurality is found then selecting the newest data-item of said plurality for storage in the main storage portion.   
     
     
         10 . A method for retrieving data from a flash memory device comprising the steps of:
 receiving at least one address being indicative of a location from where data is to be retrieved, and;   supplying data from a temporary storage portion if the at least one address is present in the temporary storage portion of the flash memory device and else supplying data from a location in the main storage portion of the flash memory device, the location being indicated by the at least one address.